Road Safety – Seat Belts & Bicycle Helmets

Buckle Up – It’s The Law

Not using seat belts is now a PRIMARY traffic offense i n Orange Village. In other words, you can be stopped and cited for not wearing your seat belt without any other traffic offense being committed.
The Village of Orange, understanding the importance of wearing seatbelts, has decided to amend section (d) of codified ordinance 337.27 which will make not wearing a seatbelt while operating or being a passenger in a motor vehicle a PRIMARY OFFENSE.

Q: What does this mean?
A: An Orange Village Police Officer may stop a motor vehicle if he or she observes a passenger or operator not wearing a seatbelt.

Q: Were the police able to do this in the past?
A: No. The officer needed a separate primary infraction such as, speeding or running a red light, etc. in order to stop and cite a motorist.

Q: Why did we change this?
A: There is overwhelming evidence that supports the fact that wearing seatbelts saves lives and reduces medical expenses.

Q: Was this change put into action as an attempt to increase revenue?
A: No. The change was made to promote and encourage compliance. We would be just as happy if we never issue a citation due to 100% compliance.

Q: Will the police department be over zealous in it’s enforcement of the new law?
A: No. The Orange Village Police Department prides it’s self in fair and non biased enforcement.
The Village of Orange wants all of the people who come to our community to work, live or simply drive through, to do it safely and smartly. It is our sincere hope that, together, we can achieve this goal through compliance of this law change, not enforcement.

Ohio Seatbelt Law

What is Ohio’s safety belt law?
No person shall operate an automobile on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device or occupy, as a passenger, a seating position on the front seat of an automobile being operated on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device. The only exceptions are employees of the United States postal service or of a newspaper home delivery service, during any period in which the person is engaged in the operation of an automobile to deliver mail or newspapers to addressees, or a person who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code that states that the person has a physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical.
What is Ohio’s child restraint law?
When any child who is in either or both of the following categories is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, that is registered in this state and is required by the United States department of transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in a child restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards: · A child who is less than four years of age; · A child who weighs less than forty pounds.

Child Restraint LAW CHANGE – Child Restraint LAW CHANGE –
Ohio has added to its’ Child Restraint law and it is explained below.

When can my child sit with a seat belt?
Children over 40 pounds need to sit on a booster seat until they are at least 8 years or unless they are over 4’9” tall. A booster seat allows the vehicles lap and shoulder belt to fit the child properly. Never allow a child to place the shoulder harness under their arm or behind their back. Booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.

They can sit with their backs against the back of the seat and knees bend over the front edge of the seat

The lap portion of the seat belt fit across their upper thighs/lower hips

The shoulder portion of the belt crosses the middle of their shoulder

The can remain in this position for the whole trip
Remember: The Orange Village Police Department has three officers that are Certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians that are available by appointment.
Why enforce safety belt violations?
Traffic crashes claim thousands of lives and cost BILLIONS of dollars each year. Safety belts are proven to reduce the severity of the vast majority of injuries. In Ohio during 1996, it is estimated that safety belts saved 321 lives, prevented 20,026 injuries, and saved $893 million in costs.

Isn’t wearing a safety belt a personal decision which affects only me?
The decision to wear a safety belt affects many people. First, the consequences of not wearing a safety belt can greatly affect your family and loved ones. How would it affect YOU if a loved one was killed, disabled, or seriously injured as the result of not buckling up? Second, it is your responsibility to maintain control of your vehicle. It is not uncommon for a car to continue moving after a crash, and safety belts are your best chance of remaining able to safely steer and/or stop your car before it strikes another person or vehicle. Finally, the cost of not wearing a safety belt is borne by all who pay insurance premiums. A crash in which a safety belted driver might receive only bumps and bruises might result a costly hospital stay for the unbelted driver. That cost is spread across the insurance premiums of ALL drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Agency estimates Ohioans would save over $1 billion a year if another 10 percent of drivers would wear safety belts.

Won’t a safety belt trap me in my car if it catches on fire or goes into water?
These are rare situations. However, should this occur, your best chance of survival is remaining conscious so you can escape. If you sustain traumatic injuries or are rendered unconscious, your chances of escape will depend upon whether or not someone is there (and able) to save you. Wearing your safety belt greatly reduces your chance of sustaining traumatic injuries, and greatly increases your chances of escaping and surviving.

Car Seat Safety Program

The objective of the Orange Police Department Car Seat Safety Program is to provide up-to-date information on child passenger safety seats, to educate residents how to properly install their car seats, and to promote safety for all children. The Orange Police Department Car Seat Safety Program has 3 certified child passenger safety seat technicians (CPS). To make an appointment please contact:

Sergeant Mike Debeljak (440) 287-5234

Sergeant Jason Marvin (440) 287-5235

Sergeant Mike Roberts (440) 287-5233

Bicycle Safety & AAA Helmet Smart Campaign

The Orange Village Police Department and community are proud to participate in the AAA Helmet Smart campaign. Through this campaign we are encouraging parents to take an active role in their children’s safety by having children wear helmets when riding their bikes.

This summer Orange Village police officers will issue a safety citation when they witness a bicyclist wearing a safety helmet. The citation can be redeemed at David’s Pizza Connection as a five dollar gift certificate. The recipient of the citation will also be eligible for a drawing for bicycles from AAA.

Your child’s bicycle is considered a vehicle and use of helmets can prevent serious injuries. As a reminder, under local Orange Village codified ordinance 372.12, children between the ages of five and sixteen years old are required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.